United Kingdom & Ireland: Due to a substantial increase in reported COVID-19 cases over the last week, President Trump has extended his administration’s travel ban to include the United Kingdom and Ireland. His decision takes effect on Monday, March 16 at 11:59 PM EDT. Under the travel ban, foreign nationals are barred from entering the United States if they have been physically present in the UK or Ireland within 14 days prior to their attempted entry. U.S. citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs), and certain family members of U.S. citizens and LPRs are exempt from the travel ban, in addition to other exemptions listed in the Presidential proclamation.
India: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. consular posts in India have cancelled immigrant and nonimmigrant visa appointments from March 16, 2020 onward. WR will inform clients when U.S. consular posts in India resume operations.
Public Charge Update: USCIS has posted a notice on its website on Friday informing immigrants that the agency will not consider “testing, treatment, nor preventative care (including vaccines, if a vaccine becomes available) related to COVID-19” in a public charge determination.